- Posted on February 3rd, 2020
Press Release: Music Declares Emergency Meet European Commission Vice President
On Friday 31st January, Music Declares Emergency and IMPALA met with Frans Timmermans, the European Commission’s executive vice president in charge of the EU’s fight against climate change.
Music Declares Emergency, the recipient of IMPALA’s 2019 Outstanding Contribution Award, is an initiative by over 3,000 artists, music industry professionals and organisations who have come together to declare a climate and ecological emergency and who call for an immediate governmental response to protect all life on Earth.
At the meeting, Music Declares Emergency was represented by Fay Milton (from the band Savages), Edwin Congreave (from the band Foals), Peter Quicke (Co-CEO of independent label Ninja Tune) and Alison Tickell (CEO of Julie’s Bicycle, a non-profit helping to mobilise creative action on climate change).
Alison Tickell commented: “The music industry and musicians are key forces in the fight against the climate emergency. They can help drive the ambition of the European Green Deal, amplifying the message and demonstrating their commitment through real, quantifiable changes in business practices to act as a beacon to other sectors.”
Fay Milton commented: ” The EU’s Green Deal is very promising and we found a shared understanding that music can play an important role in supporting positive change. We can help Commissioner Timmermans accelerate his plan. Music Declares Emergency’s aim is to secure net zero emissions by 2030.”
Helen Smith concluded: ” The time is now if we want to limit climate change and avoid irreversible damage to our planet. Music Declares Emergency has a crucial role to play in helping speed up awareness and action.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Music Declares Emergency – lewis@loudhailerpress.com / +447718652582
IMPALA – mphilibert@impalamusic.org /+32488619712
Notes to Editors:
Music Declares Emergency is an independent group created by music business executives and artists concerned at the lack of a cohesive, industry wide response to the climate emergency.
In July of 2019 it organised an industry wide declaration of Climate and Ecological Emergency signed by leading artists and businesses within the UK music industry, calling for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and pledging industry action on environmental sustainability.
It believes that the music community can drive forward public understanding and pressure government to take immediate action on climate and biodiversity loss. https://www.musicdeclares.net
Julie’s Bicycle, which was founded in 2007 to respond to the climate crisis, is working globally across the creative sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and catalyse the green creative economy.
Working with over 2,000 organisations, NGOs and governments worldwide, Julie’s Bicycle has developed an approach which harnesses the power of the creative sector to communicate the reality of the climate crisis. Julie’s Bicycle advocates for science-based solutions and bold practical action, supporting and advising those who share their vision.
The team blends environmental expertise with arts and cultural sector experience, and the freely available resources constitute the most comprehensive library of good environmental practice developed specifically for the arts and culture sectors anywhere in the world. Designed and developed by Julie’s Bicycle, the Creative Green Tools – a suite of carbon calculators and a certification scheme – are the recognised benchmarks for sustainability achievement within the creative industries.
Since 2012, Julie’s Bicycle has been the Arts Council England’s contracted delivery partner, supporting its funded organisations to report their carbon footprints and develop environmental policies and action plans.
IMPALA – About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in April 2000 to represent independent music companies. 99% of Europe’s music companies are SMEs. Known as the “independents”, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector, return more value to artists, promote cultural diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access and modernise perceptions of the music sector.
Music Declares Emergency received IMPALA’s latest Outstanding Contribution Award in 2019. IMPALA also has an album of the year award and the shortlist for the latest album of the year award is out now. Previous winners include Viagra Boys, Gurr, Agnes Obel, José González, Caribou, Guadalupe Plata, The xx, Adele, Efterklang. https://www.impalamusic.org
